Bishops have been the target of nefarious regimes since the very beginning of Christianity. When a bishop publicly opposes those in power, he is quickly murdered by an appointed hitman.
Many bishops in the last 100 years have suffered a similar fate, murdered and shot for their public witness to Jesus Christ.
Below is a short list of five well-known modern bishops who were killed for their faith.
St. Oscar Romero
Archbishop of San Salvador, Bishop Oscar Romero was was shot by an assassin while celebrating Mass on March 24, 1980.
He was killed by a political party who were not happy about Romero’s public views.
Romero was canonized by the Catholic Church in 2018.
Bl. Luigi Versiglia
A brave bishop in early 20th century China, Bishop Versiglia was killed by Bolshevik pirates on February 25, 1930 for shielding several girls who were to be sold into slavery.
Bl. Versiglia was beatified in 1980, recognized as a martyr, “in hatred of the faith.”
Bl. Florentino Asensio Barroso
A Spanish bishop during the deadly Spanish Civil War, Bl. Barroso was arrested and shot after being gruesomely tortured.
He was beatified in 1997 and was seen as a heroic bishop who ministered to the spiritual needs of many during a very violent period in Spain.
Servant of God Francis Xavier Ford
A Maryknoll missionary in China, Bishop Ford died on February 21, 1952 after being imprisoned by the Communist regime. He suffered very cruel punishment, which led to his death.
His cause for canonization was recently opened and Ford’s missionary activity in China has been an inspiration for many.
And today we celebrate...